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Custodian facing child porn charges

A custodian at an Escambia County elementary school has been charged with possession of child pornography, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Samuel Dwain Yates, 43, of the 4200 block of W. Avenida De Golf in Milton, was arrested on four counts of possession of child pornography. Yates is a custodian at the Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment.

Agents began investigating Yates after receiving a tip that an electronic device at his residence was downloading child pornography. Agents served a search warrant at Yates' residence Wednesday and gathered evidence that Yates was in possession of at least four images of child pornography. Agents seized several items of digital media for forensic analysis. This investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected.

Deputy Superintendent of Schools Norm Ross said Yates works a night shift and does not come into contact with children in his duties at the school.

Ross said, per standard procedure, Yates will be placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. He said Yates' employment status with the school district would change appropriately based on the results of the investigation.

Yates was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on $20,000 bond. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office assisted in his arrest.